Iraqi cleric’s loyalists heed his call to abandon protests after clashes kill 30
2 years, 3 months ago

Iraqi cleric’s loyalists heed his call to abandon protests after clashes kill 30

LA Times  

Iraqi security forces fire tear gas at the followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr inside the government palace in Baghdad. Following two days of deadly unrest that sparked fears of instability spreading throughout Iraq and even the region, cleric Muqtada Sadr told his supporters to leave the government quarter where they had rallied. A day later, on Tuesday, Sadr’s supporters could be seen on live television firing both heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades into the heavily fortified Green Zone, while security forces sporadically returned fire and armored tanks lined up. In a sign of the fear that the unrest would spread, Iran closed its borders to Iraq earlier Tuesday, though even before al-Sadr’s order, streets beyond Baghdad’s government quarter largely remained calm.

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Thousands in Iraq demand regime change after Shia factions clash
2 years, 3 months ago

Thousands in Iraq demand regime change after Shia factions clash

Al Jazeera  

Protesters affiliated with the 2019 protest movement are demanding political change after deadly clashes between the main Shia factions. “Protesters say they took to the streets today to demand the removal of all the political elite, whom they accuse of corruption,” Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed said from Baghdad. Friday’s mobilisation follows nearly 11 months of paralysis that has left the …

Latest outbreak of violence in Iraqi city of Basra leaves 4 dead
2 years, 3 months ago

Latest outbreak of violence in Iraqi city of Basra leaves 4 dead

Al Jazeera  

Fighting earlier this week between rival Shia forces killed at least 30 people in Baghdad. Four people were killed in overnight clashes between rival Shia Muslim fighters in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, local security officials have said, adding to the at least 30 people killed earlier this week in Baghdad. Two of them belonging to Saraya al-Salam, which …

Iraqis heed cleric’s plea to leave streets after clashes
2 years, 3 months ago

Iraqis heed cleric’s plea to leave streets after clashes

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Armed supporters of a powerful Iraqi cleric who clashed with security forces in the capital began to withdraw from the streets Tuesday, restoring a measure of calm after a serious escalation of the nation’s political crisis. Following two days of deadly unrest that sparked fears instability might spread throughout the country and even the region, cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, …

Sadr supporters still demand change in Iraq after deadly violence
2 years, 3 months ago

Sadr supporters still demand change in Iraq after deadly violence

Al Jazeera  

Supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr spoke to Al Jazeera, and emphasised their continued support for the religious leader. A day after the Iraqi Shia religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr told his supporters to leave their protest sites in Baghdad’s Green Zone, calm has returned to the Iraqi capital. We are demanding the wholesale radical change of the corrupt politicians, and replace it …

EXPLAINER: What spurred the bloody armed clashes in Baghdad?
2 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: What spurred the bloody armed clashes in Baghdad?

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s long-running power struggle between rival Shiite camps devolved into bloody street violence this week – the culmination of months of simmering tensions and a political vacuum. For 24 hours, loyalists of powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr transformed the country’s government Green Zone into a front line, trading fire with security forces and rival militias, and bringing the capital …

Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shiite cleric resigns, 15 dead
2 years, 3 months ago

Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shiite cleric resigns, 15 dead

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — An influential Shiite cleric announced Monday that he would resign from Iraqi politics, prompting hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government palace and sparking clashes with security forces. During Monday’s clashes, Saraya Salam, a militia aligned with al-Sadr gathered in the capital’s Tahrir Square to “protect” protesters, one of its commanders said. Iraq’s military swiftly called …

Analysis: Is Muqtada al-Sadr’s retirement announcement a tactic?
2 years, 3 months ago

Analysis: Is Muqtada al-Sadr’s retirement announcement a tactic?

Al Jazeera  

When the Shia spiritual leader Ayatollah Kadhim al-Haeri announced last week that he would step down as a religious authority, Muqtada al-Sadr realised that he was facing a challenge to his own standing within the Shia community in Iraq. Following the announcement, al-Sadr’s supporters, who largely come from the outskirts of the Iraqi capital, roamed Baghdad and entered the presidential …

Photos: Fighting between rival Iraqi forces erupts in Baghdad
2 years, 3 months ago

Photos: Fighting between rival Iraqi forces erupts in Baghdad

Al Jazeera  

Fighting between rival Iraqi forces is raging for a second day, with rocket fire echoing from Baghdad’s Green Zone – where 30 people have been killed, according to medical sources. The violence began after powerful Shia religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr announced on Monday that he would resign from Iraqi politics, prompting hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government …

Explained | Iraq's violent clashes and the political unstability
2 years, 3 months ago

Explained | Iraq's violent clashes and the political unstability

India TV News  

Iraq clashes explained: At least 30 people were killed and 400 were injured in Iraq's capital Baghdad in clashes between Shia militias and Iraqi security forces after Muqtada al-Sadr said he was withdrawing from politics. Image Source : APFollowers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gather during an open-air Friday prayers at Grand Festivities Square within the Green Zone, in Baghdad …

Supporters of Iraq’s al-Sadr leave Green Zone after violence
2 years, 3 months ago

Supporters of Iraq’s al-Sadr leave Green Zone after violence

Al Jazeera  

Protesters respond to call by Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr to leave Green Zone after clashes leave 30 people dead. Iraqi supporters of powerful Shia leader Moqtada Sadr have withdrawn from Baghdad’s high-security Green Zone after after deadly violence overnight rocked the Iraqi capital. The latest violence also prompted Iraq’s President Barham Saleh to push for “new, early elections in accordance …

Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shia cleric Sadr announces resignation, at least 3 dead
2 years, 3 months ago

Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shia cleric Sadr announces resignation, at least 3 dead

The Hindu  

An influential Shia cleric announced on August 29 he would resign from Iraqi politics, prompting hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government palace and sparking violent clashes with security forces in which at least three protesters were killed. It called on the cleric’s supporters to withdraw immediately from the heavily fortified government zone and to practice self-restraint “to …

Iraqi judiciary suspends activities as cleric Sadr fuels political crisis
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi judiciary suspends activities as cleric Sadr fuels political crisis

The Hindu  

Iraq's judiciary suspended work on August 23 after supporters of powerful Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr camped out near its headquarters to demand that it dissolve parliament, escalating one of the worst political crises since the U.S.-led invasion. Mr. Sadr's Shia Muslim followers began gathering for protests outside the headquarters of the Supreme Judicial Council and Federal Supreme Court in Baghdad. …

Iraqi judiciary resumes work as political crisis ensues
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi judiciary resumes work as political crisis ensues

Al Jazeera  

Supporters of religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr launched a new sit-in in front of the Supreme Judicial Council, calling for the body to dissolve parliament. Supporters of al-Sadr have rallied in front of the country’s Supreme Judicial Council, expanding a sit-in that initially began in front of the parliament building, and escalating their calls for parliament to be dissolved. “These supporters …

Rival Iraq protests underscore inter-Shiite power struggle
2 years, 4 months ago

Rival Iraq protests underscore inter-Shiite power struggle

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Supporters of Iran-backed Shiite groups rallied in Baghdad on Friday to denounce their rivals, followers of an influential Shiite cleric who stormed the parliament last month and have since been holding a sit-in outside the assembly building in the Iraqi capital. Unlike Iran-backed groups, cleric Muqtada al-Sadr wants better ties with Arab countries, including Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia, …

Rival Shia groups square off over Iraq leadership vacuum
2 years, 4 months ago

Rival Shia groups square off over Iraq leadership vacuum

Al Jazeera  

Thousands of Moqtada al-Sadr’s followers prayed outside parliament in a show of support for the populist leader who has called on the judiciary to dissolve parliament by the end of next week. Rival Iraqi factions took to the streets of Baghdad to call for a new government with supporters of religious scholar Moqtada al-Sadr demanding early elections and his Iran-backed …

Furore, indifference, confusion: Voices beyond the Iraq protests
2 years, 4 months ago

Furore, indifference, confusion: Voices beyond the Iraq protests

Al Jazeera  

Many Iraqis who joined anti-gov’t demonstrations in 2019 are either against or indifferent towards this bout of protests. “They are now trying to go into the Green Zone – looks familiar?” the 33-year-old texted his friends on July 27 as he saw huge crowds of protesters trying to pull down the concrete walls around the heavily fortified area in the …

Iraqi cleric calls for dissolution of parliament, early vote
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi cleric calls for dissolution of parliament, early vote

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr told followers Wednesday to continue their sit-in inside Iraq’s government zone, and called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections, signaling a deepening power struggle with his rivals. Speaking for the first time since thousands of his followers stormed the parliament building in Baghdad on Saturday, al-Sadr said the “revolutionaries” must stay …

Iraq’s al-Sadr demands dissolution of parliament, early elections
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraq’s al-Sadr demands dissolution of parliament, early elections

Al Jazeera  

Iraq’s Muqtada al-Sadr orders supporters to continue sit-in inside the national parliament and calls for new elections to be held. Iraqi populist Muslim scholar Muqtada al-Sadr has urged his supporters to continue their sit-in inside the national parliament in Baghdad until his demands, which include the dissolution of parliament and early elections, are met. Thousands of al-Sadr’s followers stormed Baghdad’s …

Who is Muqtada al-Sadr, powerful Shia cleric whose supporters have thrown Iraq into turmoil?
2 years, 4 months ago

Who is Muqtada al-Sadr, powerful Shia cleric whose supporters have thrown Iraq into turmoil?

Firstpost  

Muqtada al-Sadr is a mercurial figure who has emerged as a powerful force in Iraq’s cutthroat political scene with a nationalist, anti-Iran agenda. He is the son of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Muhammad-Sadiq al-Sadr, who Saddam Hussein had assassinated in 1999 Iraq is in turmoil with hundreds of followers of influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Sunday camping inside the …

What’s behind Iraq’s explosive political crisis?
2 years, 4 months ago

What’s behind Iraq’s explosive political crisis?

CNN  

Editor’s Note: A version of this story first appeared in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. While Sadr’s supporters are rallying against the nomination of a new prime minister, these protests also represent a deep political rift festering between Iraq’s rival Shiite blocs and the influential hand that analysts say Iran …

Tensions soar as rival protests take place near Iraqi parliament
2 years, 4 months ago

Tensions soar as rival protests take place near Iraqi parliament

Al Jazeera  

Thousands of al-Sadr supporters resume their sit-in inside parliament in Baghdad’s Green Zone as counter-demonstrations take place nearby. The Iraqi parliament sits in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone – also home to government buildings and embassies – which al-Sadr supporters stormed with ease twice last week as security forces stood back. Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari, reporting from inside the Green Zone, …

Hundreds of protesters camp at Iraq parliament for a second day
2 years, 4 months ago

Hundreds of protesters camp at Iraq parliament for a second day

Al Jazeera  

Supporters of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr erect tents and prepare for a long sit-in to protest against efforts by his rivals to form a government. Supporters of powerful Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr have erected tents and are preparing for a long sit-in at Iraq’s parliament, deepening a months-long political standoff. Supporters of al-Sadr, who once led a militia against …

Iraqi protesters storm parliament in Baghdad, set up sit-in
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi protesters storm parliament in Baghdad, set up sit-in

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Thousands of followers of an influential Shiite cleric stormed into Iraq’s parliament on Saturday, for the second time this week, protesting government formation efforts led by his rivals, an alliance of Iran-backed groups. Al-Sadr’s rivals in the Coordination Framework — an alliance of Shiite parties backed by Iran and lead by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki — showed …

Iraqi protesters breach parliament building in Baghdad
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi protesters breach parliament building in Baghdad

India Today  

Hundreds of followers of an influential Shiite cleric breached Iraq’s parliament on Saturday, the second time in a week, to protest the government formation efforts by Iran-backed groups. Thousands of demonstrators, the followers of influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, used ropes to pull down cement barricades leading to the gate of Iraq’s Green Zone, which houses official buildings and foreign embassies. …

Baghdad: More than 100 injured in clashes as demonstrators storm Iraq’s parliament
2 years, 4 months ago

Baghdad: More than 100 injured in clashes as demonstrators storm Iraq’s parliament

CNN  

Baghdad, Iraq CNN — More than 100 people have been injured in clashes in Baghdad on Saturday after protesters rallying against the nomination of a new prime minister managed to breach the Iraqi capital’s heavily fortified Green Zone for the second time this week. Outgoing Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi urged the protesters to be “calm, patient, and rational,” in a …

Hundreds of Iraqi protesters storm parliament against PM nominee
2 years, 4 months ago

Hundreds of Iraqi protesters storm parliament against PM nominee

India Today  

Supporters of powerful Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr on Wednesday stormed parliament after penetrating the capital's high-security government Green Zone, protesting against a rival bloc's nomination for prime minister. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi called on the protesters to "immediately withdraw" from the heavily fortified Green Zone, which is home to both government buildings and diplomatic missions. Iraq was plunged deeper into …

Iraq’s political chaos: Why did protesters storm the parliament?
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraq’s political chaos: Why did protesters storm the parliament?

Al Jazeera  

Iraq has been unable to form a government since it held parliamentary elections in October last year. After a strong showing, al-Sadr repeated his commitment to form a “national majority government” representing different sects and ethnicities, such as Sunni Muslims and Kurds, but essentially sidelining the Shia Coordination Framework, which includes an old foe, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. After …

Iraqi protesters storm the parliament in Baghdad’s Green Zone
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi protesters storm the parliament in Baghdad’s Green Zone

Al Jazeera  

Hundreds of the demonstrators, mostly supporters of Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, break into the heavily fortified Green Zone in protest at a rival bloc’s nomination for prime minister. Hundreds of Iraqi demonstrators, most of them followers of the Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, have stormed the parliament building in Baghdad to protest against the nomination for prime minister by …

Iraqi protesters break into parliament denouncing the nomination of new premier
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi protesters break into parliament denouncing the nomination of new premier

CNN  

Baghdad, Iraq CNN — Hundreds of angry protesters loyal to the powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr broke into Baghdad’s heavily protected Green Zone on Wednesday, denouncing the nomination of a new prime minister. Iraq has struggled to form a new government since parliamentary elections in October; Sadr’s own attempts to form a government have previously foundered amid opposition from rival blocs. …

Sadrists quit Iraq’s parliament, but al-Sadr isn’t going away
2 years, 6 months ago

Sadrists quit Iraq’s parliament, but al-Sadr isn’t going away

Al Jazeera  

The Sadrist bloc’s resignation from parliament throws up a number of scenarios, including new elections in Iraq. Baghdad, Iraq – After nearly eight months of the Iraqi parliament’s repeated failure to form a government, influential Shia religious leader – and the biggest winner of Iraq’s October parliamentary elections – Muqtada al-Sadr decided enough was enough. “Don’t expect a government formed …

Thousands rally in Baghdad to mark 2020 killing of Iran general
2 years, 11 months ago

Thousands rally in Baghdad to mark 2020 killing of Iran general

Al Jazeera  

Marchers call for expulsion of remaining US forces in Iraq as they commemorate General Qassem Soleimani’s assassination. “US terrorism has to end”, read one sign at the rally by backers of the pro-Iranian Hashed, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, a former paramilitary alliance that has been integrated into Iraq’s state security apparatus. “Thousands of protesters, members of Iraq’s …

Protests against Iraq election results turn violent
3 years, 1 month ago

Protests against Iraq election results turn violent

Al Jazeera  

Supporters of political parties that suffered losses in last month’s polls clash with security forces outside Baghdad’s Green Zone. Protests against the results of Iraq’s recent parliamentary election have turned violent in Baghdad, with demonstrators denouncing “fraud” clashing with security forces outside the capital’s high-security Green Zone. The results of the October 10 parliamentary vote showed that a bloc led …

Iraqi Shia leader al-Sadr says will not take part in October vote
3 years, 5 months ago

Iraqi Shia leader al-Sadr says will not take part in October vote

Al Jazeera  

Muqtada al-Sadr says he is withdrawing support from the current government and the one that will be elected to replace it. Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has announced he will not take part in Iraq’s upcoming election in October, saying he is withdrawing his support from the current government and the one that will be elected to replace it. Addressing the …

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